Better Human Business Podcast

The Essence of Effective Leadership

Leadership isn’t just about managing a team; it’s about inspiring and enabling people to achieve collective goals. It’s a skill that demands continuous learning and adaptation, especially as your business grows and dynamics shift. My journey through military training, officer leadership roles, and entrepreneurship has ingrained a deep appreciation for the nuances of leadership.

Why Leadership Matters

Effective leadership is the lever that can propel a business from a small operation to a significant enterprise. It’s about cultivating an environment where each team member can thrive and contribute optimally. Here’s how you can start to refine your leadership skills and build a team that not only meets but exceeds expectations.

Building a Team Aligned with Your Vision

1. Align Your Team with Your Goals: Transparency is key in leadership. Share your vision and objectives openly with your team. This isn’t just about setting financial targets but also about making your team a part of the journey, allowing them to contribute ideas and solutions that align with the business’s goals.
2. Communicate Effectively: Over-communication is better than under-communication, especially in leadership roles. Ensure that you’re not just issuing orders, but also providing feedback, both positive and constructive. This helps in building a culture of trust and continuous improvement.
3. Support Autonomy: Foster an environment where team members can operate independently within the framework of the company’s objectives. Support them by providing the necessary tools and guidance, but avoid micromanaging, which can stifle initiative and innovation.

Practical Steps to Enhance Your Leadership Skills

Implementing effective leadership practices requires deliberate actions and consistent practice. Here are some steps to guide you:

1. Set Clear Expectations: Clearly define what success looks like for your team. This clarity will help team members understand their roles and the impact of their work on the overall business.
2. Foster a Culture of Accountability: Encourage your team to take ownership of their tasks. Accountability leads to higher engagement and productivity.
3. Encourage Continuous Learning: Promote an environment where both successes and failures are seen as growth opportunities. Encourage your team to learn from each experience and to continuously seek improvement.
4. Be Present and Accessible: While you want your team to be autonomous, it’s also important to be accessible for guidance and support. This balance will help your team feel valued and supported.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the importance of leadership in scaling a business.
• [00:01:30] Discussion on aligning team goals with business objectives.
• [00:02:30] Tips on effective communication and fostering autonomy within teams.
• [00:03:30] Insights into supporting your team without micromanaging.
• [00:04:30] Strategies for building a supportive and accountable team culture.

The Unavoidable Reality of Hard Things

Recently, my family and I welcomed a new member—a German Shorthaired Pointer, renowned for its energy and intelligence. This addition has brought immense joy but also a significant responsibility. Training this dog requires consistent effort, patience, and time—elements that are universally necessary whether you’re raising a pet, building a business, or nurturing a relationship.

Why Hard Things Matter

The concept of doing hard things isn’t about seeking discomfort for its own sake. It’s about recognizing that the most rewarding aspects of life require more than just passive interest; they demand active engagement and sacrifice. Whether it’s ensuring a well-trained pet, a thriving marriage, or successful children, the effort you put in significantly impacts what you get out.

The Art of Prioritization

One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned—and what I discuss in my book, “Killing Comfort”—is the importance of prioritization. This involves not just identifying what matters but being willing to cut out what doesn’t to focus on what does. Here’s how you can apply this principle:

1. Evaluate Your Commitments: Understand that you cannot excel at everything simultaneously. Choose a few areas where you want to excel, and commit fully to those.
2. Ruthless Elimination: Once you’ve identified your priorities, be ruthless in cutting out distractions. This might mean less time on leisure activities or even saying no to good opportunities that don’t align with your top priorities.
3. Consistency Over Perfection: Understand that progress in any area requires consistent effort. It’s not about being perfect every day but about not giving up and continuously pushing forward.

Implementing Hard Things in Daily Life

To practically integrate hard things into your life, consider these steps:

1. Daily Reflection: Spend time each day contemplating what you’ve accomplished and what needs more attention. This reflection helps keep your efforts aligned with your goals.
2. Set Specific Goals: Whether it’s training your dog or growing your business, set clear, actionable goals. This makes the hard things more manageable and provides a clear path to follow.
3. Embrace Flexibility: Understand that life is dynamic. Adjust your priorities as circumstances change but always keep your core objectives in sight.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the importance of doing hard things in various aspects of life.
• [00:01:30] Personal anecdote about training a new, energetic dog.
• [00:02:30] The link between effort and outcome in personal and professional contexts.
• [00:03:30] Strategies for embracing and prioritizing hard things.
• [00:04:30] Practical tips for integrating hard tasks into daily routines.
• [00:05:30] Closing thoughts on the long-term benefits of embracing hard challenges.

What Does Legacy Mean to Me?

Legacy is not about achieving fame or having my name etched in stone. For me, legacy is about the values I instill and the example I set for my children and those around me. It’s about ensuring that the lessons I teach, the love I share, and the integrity I uphold ripple through generations, whether or not my name carries on.

The Influence of Benjamin Franklin

Benjamin Franklin once penned in the 1738 edition of Poor Richard’s Almanac, a quote that has significantly influenced my thoughts on legacy: “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading or do things worth writing.” This statement has evolved into my personal mantra: “Do both.” I strive not only to act in ways that are worthy of remembrance but to create work that inspires, educates, and stands the test of time.

Implementing Legacy in Everyday Life

How do we integrate this into our daily lives? Here are three actionable steps:

1. Evaluate Your Actions: Each day, consider if your actions are noteworthy. Are they worth someone else writing or speaking about? This introspection guides my daily decisions and helps ensure they align with the legacy I wish to leave.
2. Create Meaningful Work: Whether it’s a professional project, a personal hobby, or simply interacting with others, make it meaningful. Aim for your work to be something that adds value and richness to others’ lives, something that would be missed if it were not there.
3. Stay Aligned with Your Values: Consistently align your actions with your core values. This congruence ensures that the legacy you leave is not only lasting but also true to who you are.

Why This Approach Matters

This mindset transcends the daily grind and fleeting successes. It encourages a long-term view of our actions and their impacts. By regularly reflecting through Franklin’s lens, we keep our lives purpose-driven and ensure that our legacies are built on meaningful contributions, not just achievements.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the concept of legacy beyond traditional definitions.
• [00:01:30] Personal reflection on what legacy means on a familial and community level.
• [00:02:30] Discussion of Benjamin Franklin’s influence on my understanding of legacy.
• [00:03:30] Practical steps for integrating legacy into daily life.
• [00:04:30] The importance of aligning actions with personal values in legacy building.
• [00:05:30] Encouragement to consider long-term impacts and the big picture.
• [00:06:30] Final thoughts on living a life that matters and the call to “Do both.”

Understanding Probability in Business

Recently, I found myself playing a game of coin flipping with my two boys. The goal was simple: see who could get the most consecutive heads. While the expected outcome over many flips should hover around a 50/50 split between heads and tails, something extraordinary happened—my son William managed to flip heads eight times in a row. The probability of this happening in just ten flips is less than 1%, yet it happened right before our eyes.

This experience brought a powerful realization: in business, as in coin flipping, the theoretical probabilities don’t always line up with real-world outcomes, especially when preparation and experience enter the picture.

Scaling Business: Not Just a Coin Toss

When it comes to scaling your business, it might initially feel like flipping a coin—uncertain and unpredictable. However, as you accumulate experience, learn from your mistakes, and understand your market, you transform that coin toss into a calculated strategy. You’re no longer leaving your success to chance; instead, you’re actively shaping the odds in your favor.

The Key to Business Growth: Experience and Focus

Here’s how you can start to manipulate the odds like an experienced coin flipper:

• Improve your product: Always look for ways to enhance what you offer.
• Enhance your marketing: Learn what attracts customers and refine your outreach.
• Optimize your sales process: Make buying as easy and pleasant as possible for your customers.
• Exceed customer expectations: Provide exceptional service that turns customers into advocates.

Applying the Lessons

Just like William’s unlikely streak of heads, achieving what seems statistically improbable in your business is possible. By focusing on key growth areas and leveraging your unique experiences, you can scale your business beyond conventional expectations. Remember, it’s not about the random chance of a coin flip; it’s about preparing and positioning yourself to succeed repeatedly.

The Mathematical Game of Business

In the world of business, particularly in scaling, you’re not confined to the average outcomes dictated by statistics. You create your own statistics by focusing on effective strategies, documenting what works, and continuously applying these lessons to innovate and improve. This approach shifts you from a game of chance to one of strategic mastery.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the concept of probability and its relation to business growth.
• [00:01:30] Story of a coin flipping game illustrating random probability vs. controlled outcomes.
• [00:02:30] Discussion on the illusion of probability in business and how experience alters outcomes.
• [00:03:30] Strategies for scaling your business by focusing on key growth areas.
• [00:04:30] How to apply lessons learned to consistently beat the odds.
• [00:05:30] Closing thoughts on shifting from a game of chance to strategic mastery in business.

The Story of the “Captain’s Car”

In military culture, there’s a tradition known as the “captain’s car,” where officers typically upgrade their vehicles upon promotion to captain, thanks to the significant pay raise that comes with the rank. Instead of going for a flashy new car, my “captain’s car” was an old Volkswagen Cabriolet—affectionately nicknamed “the golf cart.” This car, with its quirks and limitations, was a stark departure from the norm but it represented something much greater for me. It embodied the principle of ‘process vs. outcome,’ highlighting that sometimes the choices that seem unconventional at the time are exactly what we need to achieve our broader goals.

Why Choose a Less Glamorous Car?

At the time, my wife Emily and I were deep in debt, over $100,000, as we prepared for my transition from military life to entrepreneurship. Every decision, including the purchase of a cheaper, less reliable car, was made to align our financial actions with our long-term goals: becoming debt-free and establishing a successful business. This old car wasn’t just a means of transportation; it was a tool in our strategy to achieve financial independence.

The Realities of the Process

The journey towards any significant achievement is often rugged and filled with sacrifices that aren’t glamorous but are necessary. Driving a car that often became the butt of jokes among my peers was a daily reminder of the choices we were making to secure a better future. This wasn’t about the car—I wasn’t attached to the vehicle itself—but about what it represented: the willingness to embrace a less comfortable path for a greater cause.

Process vs. Outcome: Key Takeaways

1. Outcome is Tempting but Fleeting: It’s easy to fantasize about end goals like fancy cars, big houses, or business success. However, these are outcomes that don’t tell the full story of the hardships and sacrifices required to get there.
2. Process is Constant and Crucial: The process is where the real work happens. It’s messy, it’s challenging, and it’s where growth occurs. Embracing the process means understanding that the steps you take—even the unpleasant ones—are building you toward your ultimate goals.
3. Mindset Shift: Recognizing that true success is found in the daily grind, in the decisions that no one sees, and in the mundane sacrifices, can change how you approach every challenge.

Why This Matters

The concept of process versus outcome is crucial not just in business or personal finance but in every aspect of life. By focusing on the process, you ensure that you’re not just dreaming about where you want to be, but actively engaging in the behaviors that will get you there.

Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Podcast Addict, Pocket Casts, Castbox, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or on your favorite podcast platform.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

• [00:00:30] Introduction to the concept of process vs. outcome and the story of the Volkswagen Cabriolet.
• [00:01:30] Explanation of the military tradition of the “captain’s car” and my unconventional choice.
• [00:02:30] Discussing the financial and personal motivations behind choosing a less glamorous vehicle.
• [00:03:30] Insights into the daily realities and sacrifices of embracing the process.
• [00:04:30] Conclusion on the importance of process over outcome in achieving long-term goals.